A penny saved . . .

Source: centstosave.com via Dena on Pinterest

I was quite astonished the other day when my mother told me that Canada was phasing out the penny.  Apparently it now costs more to manufacture pennies than they worth!

"In Economic Action Plan 2012, the Government announced it would phase out the penny from Canada’s coinage system.  The decision to phase out the penny was due to its excessive and rising cost of production relative to face value, the increased accumulation of pennies by Canadians in their households, environmental considerations, and the significant handling costs the penny imposes on retailers, financial institutions and the economy in general."

She told me yesterday they are now thinking about getting rid of the nickle.

It got me to thinking and you know what happens then . . . I think it's rather sad actually.  I know they will call it progress,  but is it really???  A whole generation and generations of children will grow up not knowing what a penny is . . . and what's even worse . . . not being able to save up their pennies.

Source: global.rakuten.com via Susana on Pinterest

As a child I was encouraged to save up my pennies in my piggy bank.  Those pennies soon added up and I remember buying and doing all sorts with my pennies.  Granted it was a far different world back then and a penny did go a lot further, but still . . .

Think about all the phrases which will then become redundant . . . simple sayings that will then have no meaning because generations of people will have no idea at all what is being said . . . things like:

"Penny for your thoughts."

"Allow me to put my two cents worth in."

"A penny saved is a penny earned."

"Spending a penny." (dates back to when it cost a penny to use a public loo.)

Saving pennies through the years has been a really big thing for me.  I always save them in a jar and then when I get enough I spend hours rolling them into fifty cent rolls of coinage.  It's amazing how very quickly they add up.  A penny saved really is a penny earned!   And what about those little penny pots at the til for the customers who find themselves short a penny or two when it comes time to pay for their goods?   "Good will at the til" . . . will that be out the window too??

Source: rowhousenest.com via Jan on Pinterest

As a child pennies were so important to me.   Remember penny candy.  I know it's long since you could get very much for a penny, but when I was a child a penny meant at least three candies . . . and a lot of pleasure.

There's many a young lad who put pennies on the rail tracks to see what happened with the train ran over it and squashed it out flat . . .

And what of squashed penny machines???  You know the ones I mean.  You put in a penny and a quarter (probably more now) and your penny comes out all squashed into an oval and imprinted with a souvenir image on one side of exactly where you are.   My sister and I both had squashed penny pendants of the Lord's prayer when we were girls.   We were allowed to only wear them once or twice a year along with our silver crosses . . . I also have a little enameled robe of Jesus . . .

I suppose I might be seen as an old fogie, but pennies hold a lot of meaning for me.  We had a dog named Penny when I was a girl, that I dearly loved . . . called so because of the colour of her ears.  Pennies are symbols of thrift and hard work . . . dreams . . . they hold in that little copper shape the virtue of saving for a rainy day.  It's easy to save pennies . . . and they soon add up.

Who hasn't picked up a "lucky" found penny and made a wish for their future???   And what of wishing fountains???

"Find a penny and pick it up and all the day you'll have good luck."

It just seems very sad to me.   I know we are rapidly moving towards a cashless society . . . but there is something of intrinsic value in being able to hold real money in your hands . . . it's much harder to spend when it is real . . . and not invisible.

And that's just my two cents worth for today!



This is a little something I painted between yesterday morning and afternoon (with lunch out in between).   The hardest part was getting the water right.  I wanted it to look like ripples and so that you could see her feet and hand beneath the water in a way that looked realistic.   I was quite pleased with how it turned out.   I love that scripture as well . . . I do so love the word of God.

Yesterdays Silver Lining . . . a wonderful cozy lunch spent out with  two very dear friends.   Time spent in the company of people you care about and who are like minded is always special time indeed.

A thought to carry with you through today . . .

"Without hard work . . . nothing grows but weeds."
~Gordon B Hinckley



Something simple baking in The English Kitchen today . . . Brown Scones.  Simply delicious!

Have a wonderful day everyone!  Hope that the sun shines down on you!

A little bit of this and a lot of that with lots of nothing thrown in for good measure . . .

Source: fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com via Mira on Pinterest

It's time now to bring branches into the house to force them into flowering.  It has been said that even Pear branches will flower, as will Apple and Quince.  My favourite though are the Forsythia . . .

How beautiful and wonderful it is to glance over to the dining area windowsill . . . which is South facing and see a beautiful spray of delicate yellow flowers blooming.    I really must go out one day this week and find a few.   The perfect way to introduce an early spring into the home.

 Of course I like to use Forsythia branches each year as my Easter Tree.  They make a perfect one with all of the little yellow blooms.   My little wooden eggs and bunnies always look so pretty hanging from the delicate branches . . . I love this yearly custom.

Source: stylizimo.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

We have had a few dry days and so I hazarded a chance walk down the garden yesterday afternoon, just to see how things were going.   It's been such a wet winter that I have totally avoided it, even on the frosty days as each step taken was an sodden . . . mud filled . . . futile exercise.  It was lovely to see all of the rhubarb bursting forth, with brilliant red stems and those deep green crinkled leaves . . .

I remember the first time I saw rhubarb growing in a garden . . . I thought it was an odd looking plant.  I was so very in-experienced in the ways of gardening and had no way of recognizing a weed from what was supposed to be there.  I couldn't even hazard a guess at what this was . . . it was not until it was fully out that I recognized it as being rhubarb, and was well pleased that I hadn't thrown it out.

When I think back to my younger self and how ignorant it was in so many ways, I chuckle to myself, and am very glad that I have grown up now . . .

Source: Uploaded by user via Marie on Pinterest

Our Mitzie has so missed being able to frolic in the grassed area of our garden this Winter.  For the most part we have kept her out of it by keeping the gate closed.   She sits daily at the gate willing it to open . . . but it only ever rarely does.   Yesterday afternoon it did for a short and she had a brilliant time bounding over all of the garden's lumps and bumps, sniffing here and sniffing there . . .  making note of every creature that has passed our way over these past few months no doubt.

They say a dog's smell is so powerful that they can smell events several years in the past.   Tis true.  I heard it on the television on one of those animal shows.  I believe it was a show called Martin Clunes:  The Secret Lives of Dogs, and it was very, very good.

Source: static.guim.co.uk via Marie on Pinterest

At any rate our Mitzie enjoyed her little romp, while I walked up and down taking note of all that was going on.   The snowdrops are blooming all along the base of the hedge . . . and the spikes of daffodils are now showing as well . . . each bush and tree too, shows the tiny beginnings of tender little buds.   The promise of Spring is very evident, and after these few cold dark months it's nice to have such hope.

Our Mitzie is such a little character.  She has several games she likes to play.   First of all she likes to play with empty water bottles and the like.  She pounces on them with great glee and grasps them in between her front paws.  She then begins to work on them and I have observed that she does so very methodically . . . first she worries the label off, and then she works on the lid . . . and finally that little ring of plastic which is left when you unscrew the lid . . . once she has removed those three things, she loses all interest and walks away and I am left to pick up the pieces.   If only she could learn to pick up after herself . . .

 

The other thing she likes to do is to play with empty crisp and snack bags.   I think it is the noise they make . . . all crinkly sounding.   They can be completely empty but she has a good go at licking off whatever fumes have been left behind from whatever it that has been in them . . . and when she is done the bag is completely turned inside out.  I find it literally quite amazing . . . and once again, she has not learned to bin it when she is done.   Oh well . . . what would we do without the company of these much beloved furry members of our families . . . they bring us so much joy.   Our lives would be quite empty without them I am sure!

I have had a little bit of studio time these past couple of days which is something I just love.   I enjoy just sitting up there on my own . . . music playing . . . for inspiration you know . . . and then seeing what comes out of my thoughts and fingertips.

For a few days I was working on this . . .



It was an idea actually that I had a few weeks back and I was finally able to bring it into fruition.  I had to find the right pair of red shoes first and I worked on those for several days believe it or not.   This painting only has two colours in it which I have used . . . red and sepia.   I was playing at using different strengths of each one to see what happened and I was rather pleased with the result.  The words are my own . . .

The second thing I created was this . . .

  

If there is one thing I love more than painting it is reading the scriptures . . . this combines my love of the two things.   I cannot take the credit . . . tis the inspiration of the word of God which created this little person.

I love the delicate rosebuds on her dress and the ribbon on her hair . . . she's wearing penny loafers, but I am not sure if you can see that much of the detail . . . I can though because I put it there I suppose!   Each little character I create is a living thing to me . . . complete with charm and personality.

Yesterdays silver lining . . . watching old episodes of Seinfeld with Todd in the evening and laughing our heads off at . . . well, nothing!   Because after all it is a show about nothing.   Marie likes that.   (haha, that was what was making us laugh.  It was the show where they make a friend name Jimmy who always talks about himself in the third person.  Jimmy this and Jimmy that.  It was so funny.  I drove Todd crazy the rest of the day talking about myself in the third person.   Even last night in bed as he went to tuck himself under the blankets I giggled and whispered to him . . . Marie loves you.)

A thought to carry with you through the day . . .

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well."
~Virginia Woolf

I love it!  And speaking of dining, this was our supper last night . . .

 

Cooking in The English Kitchen today . . . Granny's Beef Enchiladas.   Yum!  Very, very good.

Have a great Wednesday everyone!  We are out to lunch today with some friends.  I am looking forward to it.  Happy Day!


 

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY, February 26th, 2013...

Outside My Window...
It's dark, quiet and cold.   Typical early February morning.   Roll on Spring!

I am thinking...
If we bestow a gift or favor and expect a return for it, it is not a gift but a trade.
~author unknown

As I lay in bed last night waiting to go to sleep I was thinking about my ex boss and how she once looked me straight in the eye and said, "Anyone who knows me should know I never give anything to anyone without expecting something in return."  I don't know why I was thinking about that, but I was.   I  have been reading "To The Rescue," an autobiography of Thomas S Monson.   He is our Prophet and his whole life has been centered around what he could do for others, and what a fascinating and wonderful life he has lived.  Two completely diametrically opposites . . . one whose life is about service to others and one whose life is about being served BY others.  I know who I would rather be like.

I am thankful for...

The love of family and friends.  I hope I never take it for granted.

From the kitchen... 
There is just a scrap left of the Coffee Crunch Cake.  Time to bake another cake methinks! I wonder what it will be this time . . . or maybe cookies.   I don't know!
 
I am wearing...  
My long sleeved pink M and S nightie, robe and slippers.  Nothing changes does it?  Different colour, same garb, every morning.  ☺
 
I am creating...  

 

Unbelievably there is nothing new on my art table at the moment.  Yesterday I worked on a poster for a RS over in America for their anniversary celebrations in March. A gift from me to them.  Now that is finished, I am going to go back to my own work.

Source: imageevent.com via Marie on Pinterest

I found these small stones which had been painted like Strawberries a couple of days ago.  I so want to do this!  I am on the hunt for small stones.   I think they're just brilliant and can imagine them as a pretty summertime table centre piece gathered in a pretty bowl.

Source: blog.mariesmaking.com via Marie on Pinterest

Loving these little crochet butterflies.  They remind me of the pink crepe paper butterflies which held our bedroom curtains back when I was a girl.

Source: etsy.com via Marie on Pinterest

These felt envelopes would be a great gift for the grands.  I can just imagine them playing post office with them!  I had such fun watching them with their kitchen goodies at Christmas on the i-pad.   My oldest son's boys have their own play kitchen.  I bet they would like a play Post Office too . . . hmmm . . .

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Love these quilted tea cups and saucers.  I bet a quilted tea set would be really lovely and something a pretty little granddaughter would love to play with and it wouldn't break.  I still treasure the doll blanket my own grandmother made for me when I was only small.

Source: lugastal.com.br via Marie on Pinterest

Have you ever seen such a cute doorstop in your life???   JUST ADORABLE!

I am going... 
We are meeting friends at a pub for lunch tomorrow and I am looking forward to that.   Lunch always tastes better when someone else cooks it.   The missionaries are bringing someone over tonight to teach in our home.   He has been before, so that will be nice.   Other than that we have a pretty free schedule this week.   I do have to get in my last bits of Visit Teaching however . . .

I am reading...

Source: cedarfortbooks.com via Marie on Pinterest

In The Company of Angels, by David Farland. I am totally  in love with this book.
 This is a novel based on the true life story of the Willie Handcart expedition of 1856.  This was a group of Mormon Pioneers, having gone to American from the British Isles and a few other European Countries, who then make their way across America pulling handcarts to Zion in Utah.  They encountered many obstacles along the way and all suffered, and many of them perished.  It is a moving story, told through the eyes of three historical characters: James Willie, the handcart company’s captain, Eliza Gadd, the agnostic wife of a faithful British convert and a mother with several children, and Baline Mortensen, a Danish child, sent ahead to America by parents who feared persecutors in Denmark might target her.  I am reading it on my Kindle and Todd is reading a copy he got from our library.   We are BOTH enjoying it very much.   He's a brilliant writer!

Source: pin4fun7239.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Lucky Man, by Michael J Fox
A funny, highly personal, gorgeously written account of what it's like to be a 30-year-old man who is told he has an 80-year-old's disease. 

"Life is great. Sometimes, though, you just have to put up with a little more crap." --Michael J. Fox 
 
In September 1998, Michael J. Fox stunned the world by announcing he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease -- a degenerative neurological condition. In fact, he had been secretly fighting it for seven years. The worldwide response was staggering. Fortunately, he had accepted the diagnosis and by the time the public started grieving for him, he had stopped grieving for himself. Now, with the same passion, humor, and energy that Fox has invested in his dozens of performances over the last 18 years, he tells the story of his life, his career, and his campaign to find a cure for Parkinson's. 

I am a great fan of autobiographies, which is why I am also reading this . . . 

Source: deseretbook.com via Marie on Pinterest

 To The Rescue, by Heidi S Swinton
The Autobiography of Thomas S. Monson. I have only just begun this book, but it is compelling reading.  It's a slow slog for me though because this is not on my kindle and it's a really large book and I have a hard time holding it with my arthritic wrists.   He is such a fascinating man, truly.   He is the Prophet and President of our church.   Called as a Bishop at the age of 22 and as an Apostle at age 36, this is a man who has spent his entire life serving and leading others, sometimes flying halfway around the world just to give a blessing to one individual.   I think all of the Presidents of our church have been fascinating men.  I love reading about their lives.

I am hoping . . .
I am hoping that the weather holds out so that my mother can go to her appointment with her Thoracic Surgeon on Friday.   I cannot believe it is taking so long for someone with lung cancer to get treatment.   I am greatly disturbed by this.

I am hearing... 
Ordinary morning sounds.   My play list, Mitzie snoring . . . the clock ticking.  My fingers clicking on the keys.  Nothing changes . . .

Around the house...

Source: fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com via Maureen on Pinterest

I really love the rustic look of this dining set.   We have a very old Oak table, which I love and our chairs are Oak as well, all of them and the table having been found in second hand shops.   We found the table first and then a few years later we found the chairs.  The table and chairs we had before them were ones that we had rescued from someone who was dumping them at the tip, so we have come up in the world!

Source: theoldpaintedcottage.com via Moj Beli on Pinterest

I love the old fashioned look of this room.  It reminds me of the bedroom I had when I first left home to go to work when I was 18.   I boarded with an old woman who rented rooms in a big old Victorian House at the top of a hill in Kentville, Nove Scotia.   It was a lovely home and she was a lovely woman.   I was a shy little bird and spent a lot of time in that room when I wasn't at work.

Source: indulgy.com via Maureen on Pinterest

Isn't this a totally unique idea???   An old dresser, painted and then used as a really interesting planter!   I suppose you could pair it with this . . .

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Tammy on Pinterest

I've always kind of fancied a "flower bed!"

One of my favourite things . . .  

Source: imgfave.com via Marie on Pinterest

Kittens, especially orange kittens.   When I first moved over here Todd had two cats.  One of them got hit by a car one day and so we had only one, but they weren't really my cats, and had no allegiance whatsoever for me.   Then we got a little orange kitten.  We called him "Dandy" which was short for Dent-de-lion, or dandelion, coz he was a little dandy lion.   I loved him so much, but we ended up having to give both of our cats away as our elderly neighbor complained that they were always getting into her garden to the council.   I have always had a certain fondness for orange cats, but for some reason I have never been able to keep one for very long.

Something new about me ...
I have bunions.  (I know such a fascinating fact!)  I have had them since I was a girl.  I was given spacers to put in between my toes when I was 11 but I hated wearing them.   What 11 year old wants to wear toe spacers!  When I was in my early twenties I was told I would need them operated on, but I was pregnant for my youngest daughter at the time and so it just never got done.

One of my guilty pleasures ...

Source: google.co.uk via Laura Ellen on Pinterest

I  really love Jo Malone perfumes.   I fell in love with it when I worked down South and was given a bottle one year for Christmas.  I have about 4 different bottles of it now that I alternate, my favourites being the Blue Agava and the Pomegranate Noir ones.   I just noticed this morning there is a new scent . . . Ginger Biscuit Tea . . . and I am keen to smell it.  I love gingerbread anything . . .  

Pet Peeves...    

Japanese Lanterns.  They are dangerous and harmful to the environment.  What goes up always comes down and more often than not they fall to the earth in a blazing mass and have been known to set trees, grass and barns alight.   Animals have died after having ingested the wire remains.  I think they should be banned.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Source: churchleaders.com via Jeff on Pinterest

“Words are nothing but words; power lies in deeds.  Be a person of action."
~Mali Oriot Mamadu Konyate

I have always believed that you don't truly begin to live your life until you learn to give it away.   We must be the Saviour's hands here on earth . . . doing whatever we can, whenever we can and wherever we can to make a difference.

As a closing thought I would like to leave you with this:

"Good thoughts are no better than good dreams if you don't follow through."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

And there you have it . . . my day book for this week. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!  

 

Cooking in The English Kitchen today . . . Kitchen Sink Pasta!   A little bit of this and a little bit of that!  Delicious!

Hope you have a fabulous Tuesday!

 

Small and Wonderful Things 1

 

I have a dear friend April, who does this fabulous post each week on her sweet blog Dimples & Delights, which she calls Small and Wonderful Things.   (I hope that she doesn't mind that I stole her picture to show you!) It's a post where she shares quite simply the Small and Wonderful Things which help to make up her sweet life each week and bring her joy.   I love it.  It's one of my favourite ones of her posts each week,  along with the beautiful food she always  cooks, and so I thought I would do a Small and Wonderful Things post each week myself.   I think it's a good thing to count your blessings each week, so here I go.

Small and Wonderful Things 1, 2013

 

Puppy Dog Kisses and Cuddles . . . It's almost three years ago now that we lost our Jess.   I am sure you all remember how heart broken we were at the time.   It was hard losing our job and our home, which all happened at the same time . . . but losing Jess, that was the worst thing of all.   We never thought we would be able to find that kind of love and devotion again.  I, for one, was afraid of opening my heart again to the possibility because it hurt so very much losing Jess . . . but what did we do?   Six months later we brought this little lady into our home and she brings us so much joy every minute of every day.   Yep, she stole my heart from day one.   We don't have any children of our own and she is our baby.

Source: bluepueblo.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Frosty Winter Mornings . . . oh it is so cold some mornings, but the cold is countered with the warmth I feel in my heart when I look out my window to see a beautiful world etched in sparkling white crystals.   Somehow cold etched in crystals is a lot easier to take.  How can you not fall in love with such a morning . . . when your breath puffs out in great white clouds, and everything has taken on a magical glow.   Small and wonderful  . . .

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

A winter garden filled with lovely little winged creatures . . . they need us so much in the winter and the scraps we put out for them.  We just don't feed them scraps though, we also feed them seed and nuts, mealy worms, and much needed suet which helps to keep them warm during these cold months.   They reward us with song and we love to watch them from the window as they flit back and forth from the hedge to the feeders.   Some are very cheeky and bossy and bold, still others . . . hang back.  Just like people, they come in all shapes, sizes and personalities.

Source: 30.media.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Hot Cocoa and Snuggles on the sofa . . . with the man I love.  Watching films together . . . talking about things, both ordinary and spiritual . . . being silent together.   I love that I get to share my life with this special person.  He may not be perfect, but he's perfect for me and I cannot bear to think of a life without him in it.   He is my everything . . .

Source: michelleums.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Putter In The Kitchen Days . . . days when I give myself over to cooking and baking and playing in the kitchen.   I love busy hands . . . and all that they produce.   Sometimes a cake, or maybe some cookies, a muffin or two or three . . . a simple supper for my man and me.  The kitchen is one of the places which brings me the most joy . . .

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinterest

Daily Conversations with My Mum . . . I am really enjoying these daily talks we share together.   Todd can't understand what we find to talk about for an hour each day . . . but then he doesn't really understand women does he . . . or mum's and daughters.  We never run out of things to talk about and could probably fill in two hours each day or more with things to say.   I love my mum and am cherishing every minute I get to share with her via the telephone.  I wish I did not live so far away.

Source: thatkindofwoman.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Toast . . . toast brings me joy.  I love toast.   Have you ever noticed that it always tastes better when someone else makes it???   Funny how that goes.  I think it is the ultimate in comfort foods . . . toast.  The other day my sister, father and I had a complete conversation on how much we enjoy toast, and not just plain toast either, but what my father calls "crusty" toast, which is toast made from the end crusts of the loaf of bread.  His local coffee shop saves them just for him.  He goes there every morning for tea and toast.   We all like the crusts best of all . . . because they are just crustier than the rest of the loaf . . . and you get those crisp edges that cuddle the butter just so . . . toast.  Sigh . . . small and wonderful.

Source: clayinthehandsofjesus.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

The opportunity I have each week to go to Church, partake of the Sacrament and renew my Covenants with my Heavenly Father and the Saviour.  I am grateful for repentance and all that it brings and for the Saviour and all that He did and does for us daily.   I am grateful for unconditional love and the power it has to make me a better me.

Source: teacupsandmemories.tumblr.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

My creative mind . . . a small and wonderful thing which embroiders each week in beautiful ways.   I love taking these images that dance through my mind and putting them down onto paper.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't . . . but always, always it brings me joy.

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Love which embroiders every minute of my every day.  Love of family, love of friends . . . love given, love taken, love shared . . . where would any of us be without it?

A thought to carry with you through the rest of the day . . .

"Don't let the good things of life rob you of the best things."
~Maltbie D Babcock

 

Cooking in The English Kitchen today . . . Pork Chops with Pears & Blue Cheese.  A little something I threw together for a simple supper at the weekend.  They were soooo good and soooo simple!

Happy Monday!

The Treasure . . .

Source: ffffound.com via Amy on Pinterest

Mary was a happy little girl, with a big smile and a head filled with dark curls.  She was almost five years old and the apple of her father's eye.  One of the things that she loved to do most was to go shopping with her mother.   They were at the check out counter one day waiting to be served when Mary spied a beautiful bracelet sitting on top of a pile of other bracelets right next to the til.  It was filled with coloured plastic beads, every colour of the rainbow along a few sparkly bits. 

"Oh my!"  She exclaimed to her mother, "How beautiful!  Can I have one mommy, please?   Oh please?"

Her mother picked up the bracelet and looked at the price-tag, and then she looked down at Mary.

"I don't know Mary," she said "It costs £1.99.  That is more than you get for your allowance."

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Mary looked up at her mother, her brown eyes, clouded with sorrow and disappointment.   Her mother's heart softened.

"Okay Mary," she said, "I will get this for you today but I will keep it  until you have earned enough to pay for it.   I am sure we can find lots of chores around the house for you to do."  She remembered in her heart how it felt to want something when you were a little girl, but she also wanted Mary to realize the value of working for the things you wanted in life, instead of just being given them.

Mary's sorrowful eyes instantly brightened and there was an extra bounce in her step as they walked home from the shops.

Source: michelleums.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

That week Mary worked very hard to earn the money she needed to buy the bracelet from her mother.  She already had fifty pence saved in her piggy bank and she did more than her share of the household chores to earn some more pennies, and even did chores for some of the neighbors.  It was not long before she had earned enough to pay for it and the beautiful bracelet was on her wrist.

Mary loved her bracelet.  It was filled with pretty coloured beads and had a shiny gold coloured clasp.   She wore it in the morning and she wore it at night.  The only time she didn't wear it was when she took a bath.  Her mother was afraid that it would turn her wrist green if it got wet, but other than at bath time her beautiful bracelet was her constant companion.

Mary loved her father.  He always called her the apple of his eye and each night when it was time for her to go to bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to tuck her in and read her a story.  It was a special time for both of them.

Source: michelleums.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

One  night, after he had finished reading her her story, he asked her a question.

"Do you love me?" he asked as he looked down into her sleepy face.

"Oh yes, Daddy," she replied, "I love you very much.   You know that I do."

"Then give me your bracelet." he said.

Mary's eyes filled up with tears.   "Oh no Daddy," she whispered, "Not my pretty new bracelet.   You can have my best doll, the one with the golden curls.   She is my favourite."

Her father reached down to kiss her goodnight."That's ok, Mary.  Daddy loves you.  Goodnight."

About a week passed and then one night when her father had finished reading her her bedtime story, he again asked her . . .  "Do you love me Mary?"

"You know I do Daddy."

"Then give me your bracelet."

"Oh no Daddy," came the reply as a tear rolled down Mary's cheek.  "You can have all of my crayons, but please not my pretty bracelet."

As always the reply came, "That's ok Mary.  Daddy loves you.   Goodnight."

Source: michelleums.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

This happened a few more weeks, always with the same results.   Mary would have given her father anything instead of the pretty new bracelet.

Then one night when her father went into her room to read her her bedtime story, Mary was sitting on the top of her covers, her eyes glistening with tears.   "What is the matter Mary?" her father asked.

Mary did not reply, but instead lifted her tearful eyes to him and handed him the bracelet.   "Here Daddy, this is for you."

Tears welled up in her father's eyes as he reached out his hand to take from her the cheap plastic bracelet, as his other hand reached into his pocket and pulled out a small blue velvet box.  Inside was a pretty silver bracelet filled with beautiful gem stones.  He took the bracelet out of the velvet box and fastened it onto her wrist.  He had had it all the time, but had only been waiting for her to give up the cheap bracelet so he could replace it with a true treasure.

How very like our Heavenly Father that is . . . he waits for us to give up our dime store treasures so that he can replace them with real treasures, that are worth so much more.

We are all the apples of His eye.

Source: michelleums.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

“Your Father in heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him.” 
~Jeffrey R Holland 

 

Happy Birthday today to a special little girl.  Maryn is two years old.  It is hard to believe she is already two. I had hoped to be there to give her her present in person,  but I am still waiting to leave.   I love her very much.  I hope that she has a joy and love filled day.   




Baking in The English Kitchen today . . . delicious Raspberry Brownies.   Enjoy!

Have a wonderful Sabbath Day!  Know that you are loved.